SHAMBHU NATH SINGH Vs. STATE OF BIHAR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This appeal requires us to bear in mind one of the most important principles of criminal jurisprudence, the principle being that when a case is based on circumstantial evidence, every link, in the chain of circumstances, must be cogently and convincingly proved and when various links, in the chain of circumstances, are joined together, the same shall form a complete chain unerringly pointing to the person, facing trial, as the perpetrator of the offence or offences, which he is alleged to have committed.

(2.) This is an appeal against the judgment and order, dated 14.05.2007, passed, in Sessions Trial No. 325/2003, by the learned 1st Additional Sessions Judge, Saran at Chapra, convicting the accused-appellant, Shambhu Nath Singh, under Section 302 read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code and sentencing him to suffer imprisonment for life with fine of Rs. 5,000/- and, in default of payment of fine, suffer rigorous imprisonment for a period of six months.

(3.) The case of the prosecution, as unfurled at the trial, may, in brief, be described thus: